By Gary Purfield At 750 N Brooklyn Street in West Philadelphia you will find the James Shuler Memorial Boxing Gym. Opened in 1993 by Percy “Buster” Custus, who still runs the gym today, the gym has become well known in the city for its group of talented fighters, its tough reputation, and some of the best sparring anywhere. Saturday night the gym puts on its own card … [Read more...]
Dhafir Smith outboxes Ferrante, Vasquez Returns in Style
Ringside coverage by Gary Purfield Dhafir Smith put on a classic example of the veteran giving the young gun a boxing lesson in defeating Tony Ferrante Friday night by unanimous decision. The fight matched two Philly natives to headline Joey Eye Boxing and David Feldman’s seventh fight card from Harrah’s Casino in Chester, PA outside of Philadelphia. Dhafir Smith … [Read more...]
Dhafir Smith on Sparring with Ward and Bute, Fighting with Ferrante
By Gary Purfield Philadelphia’s Dhafir Smith can be called many things. He has been a club fighter, road warrior, top sparring partner, upset specialist, dangerous veteran, and plenty of other titles. What he wants to be called is world champion. And he believes that at the right time and place, one day, that is exactly what people will call him. Smith has a record of … [Read more...]
Dhafir Smith vs. Tony Ferrante Headlines Harrah’s Chester: Victor Vazquez Returns on under-card
By Gary Purfield Friday night, Joey Eye Promotions and David Feldman will hold their seventh card at the new Harrah’s Casino in Chester, PA right outside of Philadelphia. The shows have provided several thrilling main events so far and given the local up and coming talent an opportunity to develop on the undercards. The main event this Friday pits young and tough Tony … [Read more...]
Anywhere, Anytime, Anyplace: Dhafir Smith’s Throwback Boxing Journey
Photos and story by Gary Purfield How many fighters today have records of 15-0 or 20-0? How many of them are truly that good and how many of them are products of careful matchmaking and soft opposition? On the flipside of the coin is the question, how many fighters out there are far better than their record but did not have the advantage of management and promoters that … [Read more...]